Rav Israel Meir Lau was born in Poland in 1937. In 1942, his father was sent to Treblinka, but before that he succeeded in hiding Israel and his mother in an attic. Israel was saved from the “Action” and returned to the Ghetto. For 18 months, Israel was forced to work in a glass blowing factory. His task was to carry a cart full of bottles filled from a tap which was outside the factory, and distribute them to the workers. After hours of hard work, Israel returned home and helped his mother in a soup kitchen she established in the Ghetto.

In November, the Germans liquidated the Ghetto. Israel’s mother was transferred to Ravensbruck with the women and children and was murdered there. Israel and his brother were transferred to a work camp and from there to Buchenwald. In Buchenwald, Israel was saved from death by being disguised as a Polish boy. He was transferred from the Jewish camp to the big camp and was imprisoned with Russian POWs. In April 1945, Buchenwald was liberated and Israel was the youngest prisoner liberated from that camp.

He later served as the Rabbi of Netanya and the Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. In 1993-2003, he served as Israel’s Chief Rabbi. In 2005, he was again appointed Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.

In the spring of 2006, the Israeli media reported that Rabbi Lau was being considered for presidency of the State of Israel.